Virginia
Tech Tragedy and Politics: The American Way
By
Leroy Jones, Jr.
Political Commentator & Columnist
Just think,
one week ago Don Imus and the question of whether he would
keep his job was the story of the moment in our country. It
appeared that the meaning of our American culture and society
hinged on the outcome of his job security. It only took a
few hours of absolute violence, insanity and mayhem in the
Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to change the whole debate
in this county, and bring life into perspective.
The tragic
occurrence at Virginia Tech should remind all of us how fragile
life is. The cable news networks that will unfold this story
in every conceivable way possible are detailing this violent
and horrific story around the clock. This terrible tragedy
will resonate across the country, affecting both students
and parents alike. The politics of this tragedy has already
become a part of the story as well, it is another way Americans'
mourn and express their grief.
In
the aftermath of this massacre, gun control has now
become an important issue in Election 2008. This is
a hot button issue that is divided into two schools
of thought. There are those groups who are adamantly
against more restrictions on the right to purchase weapons,
while the other group wants even tougher restrictions.
There will be some who believe this incident could have
been prevented if students had been allowed to carry
weapons on campus. While others believe that allowing
students to carry weapons on campus would have increased
the number of shootings and deaths prior to this tragedy.
The right and need to vigorously debate these very important
issues is the American way, and there will be plenty
of time to do that in the future.
Clearly,
this should be one of those moments in our Nation’s
history where even those who are on opposite sides of
this argument can step back, mourn and reflect on this
great tragedy. When a catastrophe of this magnitude
occurs, some will attempt to link all the ills of our
country into this one event. We should not allow ourselves
to do that. Let’s not forget that the massacre
at Virginia Tech is about those who have died, those
who survived, and the families and friends who loved
them. Once all of the media glare dies down, and it
will; they will still have to live with the fact that
their loved ones are gone.
So
let’s hope that before all the fingers are pointed,
and before the entire pop psychology breakdown of the
perpetrator and society, that we are able to see this
for what it is. Not a political or societal moment,
but a very personal moment of lost for the families
of the victims. They deserve our respect. Our outrage
and sorrow ends once we turn off the continuous cable
news coverage, but the pain and grief for these families
will last forever
Leroy
Jones, Jr., is the creator of PoliticalJones.com
and a Political Commentator and Government Affairs Consultant
based in Washington, D.C. He is a regularly scheduled
guest on "The
Right Side with Shelley Wynter" daily radio
show on WAOK-1380 AM (Atlanta/CBS), XM Satellite Radio,
Blacknews.com and various other media outlets. Email
Mr. Jones at ljones@politicaljones.com
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